Dracaena plant named ‘KKDR201205’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘KKDR201205’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known  Draceana reflexa  cultivars, as well as narrow leaves. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena reflexa.

Variety denomination: ‘KKDR201205’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of an unnamed, unpatented variety of Dracaena reflexa.

The new variety was first discovered by the inventor, Kanchana Khemakongkanond, a citizen of Thailand, in February of 2005, in a nursery in Bangkok, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘KKDR201205’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201205’ was first performed by vegetative cuttings at the same nursery in Bangkok, Thailand during July of 2005. Subsequently at least three generations have been produced from vegetative cuttings, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘KKDR201205’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘KKDR201205’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘KKDR201205’ as a new and distinct Dracaena cultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known         Draceana reflexa cultivars.     -   2. Narrow leaves.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201205’ are similar to the unnamed, unpatented Dracaena reflexa parent, in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces larger, variegated foliage, whereas the parent produces smaller, green leaves.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201205’ can be compared to the commercial variety Dracaena ‘Song of India’ unpatented. The two Dracaena varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘KKDR201205’ produces larger leaves with a variegation pattern not found in plants of ‘Song of India’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201205’ can also be compared to the commercial variety Dracaena ‘Anita’, unpatented. The two Dracaena varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘KKDR201205’ has variegated foliage whereas plants of ‘Anita’ produce green foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘KKDR201205’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 8 months old, shown planted in 12 cm. containers. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘KKDR201205’ plants grown according to the following protocols.

Plants were grown in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, under greenhouse conditions, with temperatures ranging approximately from 25° C. to 36° C. during the day and 17° C. to 25° C. at night with natural sunlight. Measurements and numerical values below represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena reflexa ‘KKDR201205’.

PROPAGATION

-   Propagation details:     -   -   Time to initiate rooting.—About 6 weeks at approximately             25° C. to 28° C.         -   Root description.—Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not             fleshy, young roots cream-white, older roots Greyed-Orange             163D.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 8 months. -   Pot size of plant described: 12 cm circular pot. -   Growth habit: Upright. -   Height: Approximately 35.5 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 45.0 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate, approximately 10 cm per month. -   Branching characteristics: Not free branching, typically growing     with one main stem from the base. Will only develop lateral branches     after pinching/pruning. -   Diameter of stem: Approximately 0.7 cm. -   Internode length: Average 0.4 cm. -   Texture of stem: Smooth, dull. -   Color of stem: Green; near RHS 137A. -   Stem strength: Very strong. -   Number of leaves per stem: Average 65.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (spirally). Average Length:             Approximately 24.6 cm. Average Width: Approximately 1.4 cm.             Shape of blade: Lorate. Aspect: Leaves in an average angle             of 40° to main stem (=0°), tips curved downward in an             average angle of 40° to horizontal (=0°). Apex: Narrow             acuminate. Base: Broad cuneate. Attachment: Sheathing.             Margin: Entire. Texture of top surface: Smooth, moderately             glossy. Texture of bottom surface: Smooth, slightly to             moderately glossy. -   Color:     -   -   Young foliage upper side.—Green to yellow-green; near RHS             143C and 144A, both colors present, broadly margined and             irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green; near RHS 150C.         -   Young foliage under side.—Yellow-green; near RHS 145A,             broadly margined and irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green;             near RHS 154D.         -   Mature foliage upper side.—Green; near RHS N137A and N137B,             both colors present, broadly margined Yellow-green to             yellow; near RHS 151C and 5C, both colors present, and             irregular striped (axial) Greyed-green; near RHS 193A.         -   Mature foliage under side.—Green; near RHS N137D, broadly             margined Yellow-green to yellow; near RHS 154B and 4B, both             colors present, densely but, irregular striped (axial)             Greyed-green; near RHS 191A. -   Venation:     -   -   Type.—Parallel.         -   Color.—Upperside: As leaf blade. Underside: As leaf blade. -   Sheath:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—Green; near RHS Green 143A and 143B, both colors             present.         -   Texture.—Smooth, slightly glossy.         -   Other distinguishing characteristics.—No.

FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flowering not observed to date:

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date:

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Good resistance to the normal diseases found in     Dracaena. -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Normal for species, USDA zone     10 and higher. -   Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘KKDR201205’ as herein illustrated and described. 